Are my ski boots too big?

Do different ski boots really make that big of a difference when skiing?

• Seems like im having a difficult time trying to decide what ski boots to get. I have skis but haven't bought my own boots before. Im an intermediate skier learning quickly so ...show more

• Answer:

  Yes, your ski boots ARE the most important part of you ski equipment choices! Ski boots should be carefully chosen if you care anything about your skiing experience. It is more critical to find the right fit with your ski boots than with normal footwear. And just like normal footwear, you usually already notice a difference between different manufacturers. Each manufacturer tend to shape much of their products after one or several foot lasts (a 'last' is a model of one typical foot shape). There are several generic foot shapes that include all different sizes. Many of us fit a particular shape but there are still many that need a slight modification from one particular foot shape. The best way to find the best fit is to literally try on more than a few different manufacturer boots. Then, try different models in those boot makers to find the right fit. If nothing feels perfectly natural to your feet in your search, then you'll benefit from a really good boot fitting expert at a reputable ski shop. Some minor modifications can work wonders to a perfect fit. This fit you're looking for will result in zero problems from your feet, their warmth, their comfort and ultimately your entire skiing experience. I used to sell ski boots. I would highly recommend a minimum of one half hour spent in the one or a few boots that you've selected after trying on many. This half hour should be spent walking around and standing around in them. The idea is to find any 'hotspots' or places inside the boot that create uncomfortable pinching, poking, etc. These hotspots typically need attention to correct - they will only grow more and more uncomfortable as your ski day progresses. Anything beyond finding perfect boots right out of the box will need the help from a great boot fitting expert. Trust all of us who ski a lot - boot fitting experts are worth the time and money. Bottom line... the more time you spend finding and fitting the perfect boot before your ski days, the less time and frustration complaining about it when you're trying to have fun. Both high performance and entry level boots don't amount to much if your boots just don't fit right anyhow...